Ex-wife: Perdock "is a big, fat liar"

Donna Perdock was still married to Russell Perdock, the number two official in the Lake County Sheriff's Office, in April 2006. That's when he drove his power boat a reported 40-50 mph at night into the rear of a sailboat that had been drifting in the light wind with 5 people aboard.

Perdock's power boat soared over the sailboat, snapping the mast, crushing the cabin, and landing in the water in front of the sailboat.

Lynn Thornton of Willows, the sailboat owner's fiance', died from injuries suffered in the crash. Lake County prosecutors did not charge Perdock in Thornton's death -- they charged Bismarck Dinius, who happened to be steering the sailboat at the time. He had been drinking, and prosecutors argued the sailboat's running lights were off at the time of the accident. The defense has witnesses and experts who say the lights were on.

Donna and Russell Perdock divorced after the crash. She says she's not a bitter former wife taking shots at her ex, but she wanted me to know she feels "the wrong man is being charged."

Russell Perdock wrote a timeline for the day of the crash and gave it to investigators. You can read it here. Perdock claims his son's birthday party started at 5:15pm, and that it lasted an hour and fifteen minutes. Donna Perdock says, "No way can you have a party for seven kids, and wrap it up that quickly." Donna Perdock says she has proof it actually started at 3pm -- she keeps a journal and others who attended the party will confirm the time. Donna Perdock says she arrived at the pizza parlor to decorate at 2pm, and that Russell Perdock arrived at 3pm when the party started. Why is this important? In shifting that time, Russell Perdock begins accounting for the hours between six and nine o'clock when witnesses report seeing him at Konocti Harbor's outdoor bar. Perdock continues to insist he "never set foot" on Konocti's docks that night. As we reported, at least five people have come forward with information about Perdock at Konocti that night -- one man even says he raced Perdock in his boat.

Donna Perdock says her ex-husband is "trying to make himself look like he's the greatest dad in the world." From Russell Perdock's timeline: "7:00 AM - Fixed my son breakfast, instant oatmeal with toast and juice." Donna Perdock says Russell "never made breakfast in his life", that it was a special day for her and her son. She woke up early to cook a birthday breakfast -- his favorite, a homemade Egg McMuffin.

And she says she went out to confront Perdock in the driveway at six that evening (when Russell Perdock claims he was still at the birthday party), while he cleaned his boat. He told her he was taking it out for a ride, and Donna Perdock complained because her son was continuing his birthday party at home: "I have four boys here. Please don't do this."

Donna Perdock says there is another inaccuracy in Russell Perdock's timeline. He writes, "7:00 PM - Got the boys out of the truck and their stuff in the house. I uncover the boat to clean it for a morning ride. 8:00 PM - Take boat to cove to launch it and tie up at the docks." Donna Perdock says her ex-husband would never do that; he would never leave his boat in the water for more than a few hours because he was so concerned about algae. Also, Donna Perdock told us in a past report that her ex-husband left in his boat around 6 or 6:30.

Donna Perdock makes one other interesting point. She says Russell Perdock uses eye glasses to drive at night or when his eyes are tired. Perdock has testified he was not wearing glasses at the time of the crash. Donna Perdock says Russell Perdock's night vision is so bad that she had to direct him around buoys at night, even though he was familiar with their location. She says, "Driving on a moonless night in the dark? That was my first inclination of the reason why he didn't see the sailboat."

Donna Perdock continues, "I hope they dismiss this whole, entire case. Even if (Bismarck Dinius) was drinking, sitting there at the tiller, it doesn't matter. He should not be charged with Lynn Thornton's death; there is absolutely no reason. He was sitting there minding his own business when Russell slammed into him. The wrong person is being accused ... I feel so bad for Bismarck Dinius and his wife. It's just so unfortunate they can't get on with their lives."

By the way, some commenters have questioned why I did not attend the hearing June 12th (we sent a photographer and producer, and I consulted with them by phone that day). I was attending the Investigative Reporters and Editors Convention in Baltimore. It's a chance for people across the country who do what I do, to get together, share ideas, get feedback -- a worthwhile exercise. We're back in the saddle and ready to roll.

There is a bigger cover up than this... and Mitchell the LCSO boss knows this.
Lynn's story is just one among several and the corrupt of the LCSO lives on.
Donna Perdock is just one wife held hostage by the corruption. Thank goodness she had the courage to come forward.
Thank you Dan Noyes for helping us to expose the true criminals in our county.

Hasn't the prosecutor been arguing all along that Mr. Dinius failed to keep a proper lookout? That argument seems fairly hypocritical, now that you've discovered that Perdock, who was supposedly the lookout on his boat, wasn't even wearing his glasses.

It just seems that one thing after another comes out in this case as time passes by. Each time, the new disclosure is damaging to the prosecutor.

David Markham asks, "What do you think it will take for the prosecutor to do the right thing".
For One, every DA from the beginning knew what the right thing was, yet they allowed this case to begin with the wrong decision and that was allowing Perdock to be a part of it..WRONG!
From that point on, it was one so called mistake after another. They should have brought in someone from the outside to do the investigation. More than likely we would not be in this dispute about who should and should not be on trial. It doesnt take a rocket scientist to see through the schemes and the deception of all involved with this case. Hopkins, needs to step down and resign, that would be a start. Mitchell, needs to resign along with any other law enforcement personel involved in this case. You know who you are! This is just a prime example of what has been taking place in Lake County for a number of years!
It's got to stop and NOW!
I'm sick and tierd of seeing our tax paying dollars being wasted because those who are there to do a job are not competent enough to do it. So Markham, or WOW here is your answer, and I'm sure you will have some sort of rebuttal!
I will be at the courthouse again on June 30th 8am, sign in hand and will continue doing so until we have a clean house once again!
COMPREHEND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

FYI- For those of you who would like to show your support in order to see LCSO Mitchell and LCDA Hopkins actions are noticed, feel free to join in on the Jerry Brown Facebook which has been started by those of us who are fed up with all the inappropriate actions revolving around this case and many others.

so Personal friend your no boater are you?
Speeding at 60 miles a hour in darkness isn't what a normal sober person does. And we can't say he was sober because there are witnesses who saw Perdock drinking at a bar. Lynn died because of Russ Perdock's actions and only Perdock's actions.
Russ didn't obey any of the safe boating laws and the cronie DA isn't any better..how does evidence walk out of the District Attorney's office?

You're right I am not a boater, never had the interest, nor do I wish to minimize the gravity of this situation. But I am, however, aquainted with Russ and Donna. What I find terribly sad, tragic really, is the general public will believe anything that is printed without first considering the source. The headline would be more accurate if it read: "Ex-wife OF Perdock is a big, fat liar." Those who know her here in the county are shaking their heads that anyone would even consider taking her seriously.

I am livid. This must be some kind of dirty joke. Foremost obviously this journalist has this audience nailed. This audience thrives on finding any fault in the justice system and especially this case where it sells the idea that maybe a good police officer is a bad man. I bet the writer is reveling in his or her popularity for this abstract yellow journalism that works so well for his or her. But really kind of journalism is this? The substantiation is from poor sources and the evidence shown here, sounds like a bunch of speculation and lies. I can only hope the community would be educated to be able to see that. I have known Russ and Donna since I was a child. If I were to describe Russ in two words I would say he is caring and responsible. He has been that way as long as I have known him. I have fond memories of him. He has always been mindful and kind. He kept an eye on our house when we were out of town and cleaned up the yard as a surprise for our return. He has always been a good citizen and good man. I have no guilt in saying his worst quality was Donna. Those who know her personally know exactly what I am saying. My memories of Donna are far from being anything treasured. Donna would come into my room while I was playing with her daughter and she would reek of alcohol and cigarettes. She would get very angry with her daughter and I and we would recoil from her direful touch. For the life of me I could not find out what was wrong with her. And as I was only a child, I could not understand alcohol and drugs and could not understand why she was so mean and did strange things like taking things that did not belong to her and denying she had taken them. I find it almost funny that an alcoholic woman is used in this article as hard evidence, as if she wasn't intoxicated at the times she tries to counter Russell's time line with.

Because I know Donna and Russell, I don't struggle to find the liar of the two of them. I don't see why the people who comment have trouble seeing through this. Maybe the public is just too obsessed with trying to find fault with the justice system and trying to find corruption within the government that they see past the main contributor's bias and lies. How can commentators find the man who always helped at boy scouts, the masonic hall, and other opportunities within the community the bad guy? He's been said to be "conspiring" to cover his mistakes. Donna on the other hand is taken for her word, despite her lack of credibility because of her alcoholism and spite toward her ex-husband. And on top of that she has a history of being a pathological or compulsive liar that I and others that have known her have several years can attest to. I just don't see why anyone is so adamant about bringing down this good man. If hard evidence said he was guilty, it would be pointless because Russell would have confessed and taken himself to jail. This is not the sort of man that would "conspire." This is the sort of man that protected his kids from his estranged ex-wife. The kind of man that chose to be in the police to protect the town he loves. The kind of man who devotes times to teach young boys so they learn about character, health, faith and service. The kind of man always willing to give more of himself than he would ask of anyone. The kind of man who is loyal but just. Just tell me why people try to make something awful of a good person.
What has happened has happened. And I know everyone involved wishes he or she could go back and undo it all. I do think this case needs to come to some sort of end soon though. The toll it has taken on all of the involved is immense without a doubt. I hope that maybe if nothing else I altered a few perspectives.

Was Russ "caring and responsible," when, on a moonless night, with a 12-year-old girl on his powerboat, he torpedoed across Clear Lake, slamming into the rear-end of a well-lit sailboat, killing and injuring innocent passenger's aboard the sailboat?

Rear end of a well-lit sailboat???? You are the delusional one. The sailboat, as you well know, according to nine eye witnesses to the collision, was unlit. Other portions of your post are incorrect also, but I will leave it at that. You don't know what you are talking about.

According to 9 eye witnesses, no lights were seen on the sailboat that night at the time of the collision. Twist that any way you would like, but that is the testimony. It has not been proven by anyone that Russ Perdock is a liar. There are people who say differently than he does. That does not make him a liar. Donna Perdock would be the well-known liar. Ask around.

Hi "I Was There"

Still dating Perdock, huh. Why are you too ashamed to admit it?

The lights were on. There are not 9 witnesses who say they were off. You count Perduck as one, but he doesn't count, as he's a well-known liar and killer.

Thank you I Was There for setting the record straight. Others have difficulty believing the truth and love to speculate and point fingers, but excuse them for they are impeded by their own ignorance.

*** Note from Dan Noyes: Visitors to the I-Team Blog know from experience how people will file comments under different names to make their opinions/perspectives appear more common than they really are. ***

Hey I Was There --- a.k.a. Summer, a.k.a. That is Your Opinion, a.k.a. Brianna, a.k.a., etc.:

It is a breach of blogging protocol to post under one name, and to then pat yourself on the back while posting under a different name.

Your ignorance is unique, apparent, and identifying in each of the blog entries you post. Further, your ignorance is confirmed by your support for the obviously guilty killer cop.

So, you claim to know the circumstances of Donna's arrest. How did you come by that information? Are you part of the ongoing criminal conspiracy being carried out by Lake County authorities in this case?

You need to return back to the set of Deliverance, where you'll fit right in.

No witnesses saw the lights off at the time of the accident. Many witnesses saw the lights on. Your deadly boyfriend will be prosecuted when impartial authorities intervene.

Once again assuming. What is this with uneducated people just assuming they know they are right. Get your facts straight. I'm none of those people. I just hate hearing whiners and liars, and hope justice comes of this.
So pat yourself on the back for being imbecile yet again! You look like an idiot by assuming you know everything. Looks like you don't. I can't answer your questions, because I'd be assuming or lying if I made up answers. Maybe the real person who was posting a response to you can help you out. Or maybe they tired of your foolishness and feebleness of the mind.

Dan Noyes- please allow your message to be sent out to others posts because I see a common trend of delusion in the posts. Perhaps all of these delusional people are the same person under different aliases as you suggested. Thanks

*** Note from Dan Noyes: Summer, I often point it out when someone tries, within a relatively short period of time, to take on different names in the same discussion. That's what you did today. ***